*petition National Secretariat
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State have demanded the immediate resignation of the party’s chairman in the local government area.
Their demands were contained in a petition addressed to the party’s national chairman, written on their behalf by Barrister Samuel Chukwu of Decency Solicitors.
According to the stakeholders, they are demanding for his resignation, is because he cannot be an umpire in a game he is playing.
“Sir, it is indisputable that Mr. Okechukwu Aneke purchased PDP Expression of Interest and Nominations Forms for House of Assembly to take part in the forthcoming PDP primary election for House of Assembly Udi South State Constituency.
“Mr. Okechukwu Aneke bought the Forms using his English name “Hyacinth Aneke”. On the list of persons that bought Forms for House of Assembly Udi South State Constituency, Enugu State the name of Mr. Okechukwu Aneke reads Hyacinth Aneke.
” The above failed ploy by Mr. Okechukwu Aneke to embark on an electoral contest and at the same time preside over the affairs of the PDP in Udi Local Government shows the fraudulent and deceptive nature of Mr. Okechukwu Aneke, an act unbecoming of a true leader and party man,” the group said.
Read the full petition below:
The National Chairman People’s Democratic Party WADATA PlazaWuse Zone 5Abuja.
Sir,
ACTIONS CAPABLE OF DESTABILIZING AND INCITING VIOLENCE IN PDP UDI L.G.A, ILLEGAL PRESIDING OF PDP MEETING AND CONDUCT UNBECOMING OF A FORMER LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARTY CHAIRMAN
We have been briefed by the overwhelming majority of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State who for the purpose of this petition are represented by Messrs Chukwuemeka Ude, Hamilton Eze and Emmanuel Ogbozor. It is on their firm instruction that we write this petition.
BACKGROUND
Our clients are not only peace-loving and law-abiding citizens of Nigeria but also dedicated party men who have purchased PDP Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms in their bid to clinch the ticket of PDP to contest as House of Assembly candidates of PDP for Udi North and Udi South State Constituencies in Enugu State. On Saturday 9th of April,2022, our afore mentioned Clients together with their supporters and other members of PDP in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State stormed Council Hall, Udi Local Government Secretariat and venue of the PDP Udi Local Government monthly meetings, to attend the meeting of the party and to officially declare or inform the members of the party about their House of Assembly aspirations.
To our Clients’ chagrin, Mr. Okechukwu Aneke who parades himself as the PDP Chairman of Udi Local Government Area instead of welcoming our Clients and the other members of the party who accompanied them to the meeting, became unnecessarily hostile not only to our Clients and their supporters, but also to the Honourable Member representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency Rt. Hon. Dennis Oguerinwa Amadi whom he did not only refused to provide a seat for at the meeting but also denied the right or opportunity of addressing members of the party in his constituency and to equally inform them officially of his aspiration to contest for Senate under the platform of PDP in the 2023 general election. Hon. Amadi’s efforts to call Mr. Okechukwu Aneke to order, proved abortive.
Our Clients were not only bullied by Mr. Okechukwu Aneke at the said meeting but also not allowed to officially inform the members of the party about their aspirations despite their repeated civil and passionate appeal to Mr. Okechukwu Aneke to allow them address members of the party present at the meeting. Our Clients reliably informed us that the only ‘crime’ they committed against Mr. Okechukwu Aneke was their purchase of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the same House of Assembly Udi South Constituency position for which Mr. Okechukwu Aneke is also contesting for, having bought PDP Forms in respect thereof.
Sir, it is indubitable that Mr. Okechukwu Aneke purchased PDP Expression of Interest and Nominations Forms for House of Assembly to take part in the forthcoming PDP primary election for House of Assembly Udi South State Constituency. Mr. Okechukwu Aneke bought the Forms using his English name “Hyacinth Aneke”. On the list of persons that bought Forms for House of Assembly Udi South State Constituency, Enugu State the name of Mr. Okechukwu Aneke reads Hyacinth Aneke. The above failed ploy by Mr. Okechukwu Aneke to embark on an electoral contest and at the same time preside over the affairs of the PDP in Udi Local Government shows the fraudulent and deceptive nature of Mr. Okechukwu Aneke, an act unbecoming of a true leader and party man.
The import of Section 47 (5) of the Constitution of PDP as Amended in 2017 is that any officer elected into the Executive Committee of the Party at any level shall resign his or her office before vying for an elective office. By virtue of the above provision, Mr. Okechukwu Aneke ought to have resigned from office as the PDP Chairman Udi Local Government Area before taking the first step into an electoral contest. Secondly, it is illegal and contrary to the clear provisions of the Constitution of PDP for Mr. Okechukwu Aneke to be vying for House of Assembly Udi State Constituency and at the same time preside over the meetings, activities and affairs of PDP Udi Local Government Area.
Sir, you will recall that some Ward Chairmen from Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State had vide their earlier petition to you dated 21st February,2021 titled “REPORT OF HIGH-HANDEDNESS, ABUSE OF OFFICE, INTIMIDATION, VICTIMIZATION AND CONDUCT LIKELY TO TEAR APART PDP NOT ONLY IN UDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA BUT ENUGU STATE IN GENERAL IF NOT PROMPTLY CHECKED” lodged complaint against the same Mr. Okechukwu Aneke over his unwholesome actions capable of tearing the party apart. A copy of the said petition is also attached.
The conduct of Mr. Okechukwu Aneke at the afore mentioned meeting of PDP held at Udi Local Government Secretariat wherein Aspirants and the Member representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency at the National Assembly were not only insulted but not allowed to address members of the party at the Local Government meeting is clear evidence of acts capable of inciting violence at the gathering of the party and a gross breach of Section 10 (7) of the extant Constitution of PDP which spelt out code of conduct for member of the party. OUR PASSIONATE APPEAL
We therefore urge the National Leadership of the party to urgently look into the ugly situation in PDP Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, order Mr. Okechukwu Aneke to refrain from presiding over the affairs of the party in the Local Government as the party chairman and hand over all the properties of the party in his possession to the appropriate authority in line with the constitution of the party and be summoned to face the disciplinary committee of the party over sundry acts of gross indiscipline. It goes without saying that PDP is one family and every leader of the party must be made to conform to the norm and not to cause crises and divisions within the party.
While we count on your expeditious intervention in this unfolding development, please accept, Mr. Chairman, the assurances of our highest consideration.
Yours Faithfully,
Samuel C. Chukwu Esq
